Neighbor says resident disrespects American flag

OKLAHOMA CITY — A local Navy veteran is furious over what he considers "disrespect" for the American flag. A homeowner on the far southeast side of the metro, near Southeast 44th and Hiwassee, has repeatedly decided to fly the American flag upside down. That sight is disgusting to Jay Bednarek. "It's disgraceful. It's disrespectful to fly the flag upside down intentionally," says Bednarek.

Unable to get the homeowners attention after the first sighting, Jay actually reached over the home's fence and turned the flag right side up.

"I reached over, pulled the flag down myself, corrected the flag and put it back up. I figured he just made a mistake," said Bednarek.

Unfortunately, the next day the flag once again found itself inverted.

With one son on his way to Afghanistan in November and another joining the Army in January, Jay thinks disrespecting the flag is a slap in the face to military families like his.

"It's probably politically motivated or whatever, but it doesn't sit well with me," added Bednarek. "He's got the right to fly the flag upside down, but it doesn't make it right."

The First Amendment does protect everyone's right to fly the flag however they want.

According to the United States Flag Code, "The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property."

The homeowner didn't come to the gate when we went to inquire about the possible distress signal.

Jay and his buddies have some harsh words for the flag flyer.

"I would tell him he's a moron," says Bednarek. "My buddy said that guy's a Jack Wagon. Maybe he is a Jack Wagon, I don't know."